CPGE Interim Dean Full Bio
Detailed Leadership Bio
Dr. Larisa Preiser-Houy brings decades of institutional leadership to her role as Interim Dean of the College of Professional and Global Education (CPGE), where she advances innovative, workforce-aligned education for adult, professional, and non-traditional learners.
Her leadership is grounded in a strong institutional legacy, having guided Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ (CPP) through the WSCUC accreditation process, led the conversion from quarters to semesters, and launched the first named CSU graduate business school in Southern California, made possible by a transformative $12.5 million gift from alumni David and Ruth Singelyn.
At CPGE, she has built on that foundation to position the college as a mission-critical enabler of career-connected learning and regional/global impact. Under her leadership, CPGE launched new graduate degree programs, expanded workforce development and international partnerships, and advanced strategic initiatives that have recently generated $14,849,878 in revenue between the Foundation and academic programs. Across her academic and industry careers, she has championed inclusive innovation and cross-divisional collaboration to create sustainable, high-impact change.
Over the past year, Larisa has secured $1.85 million in philanthropic and external funding for CPGE to expand educational access, opportunity, and impact. This includes a $1.35 million investment to launch a Workforce Engagement Ecosystem through a new Workforce Innovation and Career Engagement (WICE) Office, as well as a $ 500,000 workforce training contract from the.
Dr. Preiser-Houy holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Management Information Systems, and an M.B.A. in Strategic Management from Claremont Graduate University. A proud Cal Poly ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½ alumna, she also earned a B.S. in Computer Information Systems. Larisa is a graduate of Harvard’s Management Development Program and holds certifications in strategic planning, equity-minded practices, student success analytics, and assessment leadership.
Looking ahead, Larisa is leading CPGE’s strategic transformation into a future-focused, innovative, and impact-driven college. She is advancing accessible, responsive programs; forging strategic partnerships between industry and the community; expanding global collaborations; and championing equitable pathways from education to employment, aligning with California’s evolving and dynamic workforce needs.